IN YOUR OPINION

Letters to the Editor for June 21, 2013

Published: Friday, June 21, 2013 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, June 20, 2013 at 7:48 p.m.

I read with interest the recent article regarding the upholding of the award in the wrongful death suit in Alachua County — $20 million, that's a lot of money. Lifelong smoker — that's a long time.

Well, my father also died of lung cancer. His cause of death, however, was mesothelioma. Did he ever smoke? No. Did he knowingly choose to work with toxic chemicals, chemicals that would later in life cause asbestosis or mesothelioma? No.

He was simply a hard-working member of the World War II generation who, like millions of others from his generation, was diagnosed with and died from this horrible disease called mesothelioma.

A $20 million award? Not likely. Yes, there are government-required trust funds set up for asbestos lawsuits. However, because of ever increasing lawsuits, bankrupt businesses, and what are now dwindling funds, settlements are a mere fraction of what was originally intended. Sound fair? I don't think so.

I guess that's why the $20 million award really sort of made me mad. I'm not saying the plaintiffs weren't entitled to an award, but this lifelong smoker chose to be just that. My father had no choice.

Someone told me life isn't fair. I guess this is just another example that proves that point.

Marcia K. Muncaster

Ocala

Fireworks and pets

As we fast approach the Fourth of July holiday, I ask you to please be critter-considerate in your use of fireworks displays.

This letter is a reminder of how devastatingly frightening and, at times, lethal loud fireworks can be to pasture or paddock animals, beloved pets, roosting domestic and wild birds and other wildlife.

Just a few minutes of these deafening noises can be deadly to many of these animals with nowhere to run or hide. Every year after this holiday, the lost-and-found section in the classifieds of the Ocala Star-Banner and other local papers increases dramatically. Please be sure to provide safe refuge for the animals in your care, especially during this holiday.

Here's food for thought: Why not celebrate this holiday on a more peaceful note? It will do your heart good knowing that this selfless act of a more quiet celebration just might save the life of an animal today.

I wish you all a safe and happy Fourth of July.

Mary Clark

Ocala

Hope and disappointment

I saw the broadcast of the School Board meeting on June 11. I heard Nancy Stacy's speech and I was encouraged. She thinks she has an idea that might work to help us keep our teachers.

Ron Crawford, Bobby James and Angie Boynton seemed underwhelmed. James was quoted in the Star-Banner saying he thought it would be a hoot if Stacy could pull it off. I found his opinion flippant and unprofessional. I would hope that as a taxpayer-funded, salaried employee of Marion County that he would help Stacy with her plan.

I hope there are some financial wizards out there who will lend a hand and help our School Board sort out things and find a way to keep our teachers.

Beth Bailey

Ocala

Let brain drain begin

I saw a report that there may be an “Exodus on the Hill” as congressmen/women and staffers learn that come January 2014 — and the effective date of Obamacare — their insurance premiums may approach the cost of normal folks' for health care. I personally doubt this will ever happen, because if there is one area that our Congress can act, it is in their own self-interest.

At any rate, this article posited that there would be a brain drain at a time when many serious issues are before this august body. Calamity and more calamities are feared.

Why not just let these brains go? Congress surely could not possibly do worse than they are currently with these members. After all, Gallup just reported that the people's confidence rating for Congress has reached another all-time low this year. They finished last in that institutional rating for the fourth year in a row.

So, please write your representative and let them know that we understand. If paying normal rates for health insurance is a burden, it's OK. Please leave and take most of your staffers with you.

L. Fred Conley

Ocala

Move over

A recent letter writer vowed that she'd be damned if she'd move over to the right lane if she was doing the posted limit or a bit more. Well ... she should consider the following:

1. The Florida Drivers' Handbook says that the left lane is for passing and turning left ONLY. Why tickets aren't issued to offenders is beyond me.

2. The driver behind you may have an emergency situation — he/she may be en route to anything from an ER to a “comfort station” (due to rapid onset “Osceola's Revenge,” or whatever).

As a native Florida cracker driver, I always assume the worst and act accordingly. I know that the left lane has a purpose, and it is not for my driving in just because I like it there.

Luther Deese

Ocala

Play it safe

I agree with the author of the letter that legally, a driver maintaining the speed limit can drive in the left lane. However, the “speed demons” will zip in and out of lanes and endanger other drivers.

It's best to leave the left lane open for the demons and stay in the center or right lane. Also, the left lane should remain clear for emergency vehicles.

<p><b>Life's injustice</b></p><p>Where there's smoke, there's fire.</p><p>I read with interest the recent article regarding the upholding of the award in the wrongful death suit in Alachua County — $20 million, that's a lot of money. Lifelong smoker — that's a long time.</p><p>Well, my father also died of lung cancer. His cause of death, however, was mesothelioma. Did he ever smoke? No. Did he knowingly choose to work with toxic chemicals, chemicals that would later in life cause asbestosis or mesothelioma? No.</p><p>He was simply a hard-working member of the World War II generation who, like millions of others from his generation, was diagnosed with and died from this horrible disease called mesothelioma.</p><p>A $20 million award? Not likely. Yes, there are government-required trust funds set up for asbestos lawsuits. However, because of ever increasing lawsuits, bankrupt businesses, and what are now dwindling funds, settlements are a mere fraction of what was originally intended. Sound fair? I don't think so.</p><p>I guess that's why the $20 million award really sort of made me mad. I'm not saying the plaintiffs weren't entitled to an award, but this lifelong smoker chose to be just that. My father had no choice.</p><p>Someone told me life isn't fair. I guess this is just another example that proves that point.</p><p><i>Marcia K. Muncaster</p><p>Ocala</i></p><p><b>Fireworks and pets</b></p><p>As we fast approach the Fourth of July holiday, I ask you to please be critter-considerate in your use of fireworks displays.</p><p>This letter is a reminder of how devastatingly frightening and, at times, lethal loud fireworks can be to pasture or paddock animals, beloved pets, roosting domestic and wild birds and other wildlife.</p><p>Just a few minutes of these deafening noises can be deadly to many of these animals with nowhere to run or hide. Every year after this holiday, the lost-and-found section in the classifieds of the Ocala Star-Banner and other local papers increases dramatically. Please be sure to provide safe refuge for the animals in your care, especially during this holiday.</p><p>Here's food for thought: Why not celebrate this holiday on a more peaceful note? It will do your heart good knowing that this selfless act of a more quiet celebration just might save the life of an animal today.</p><p>I wish you all a safe and happy Fourth of July.</p><p><i>Mary Clark</p><p>Ocala</i></p><p><b>Hope and disappointment</b></p><p>I saw the broadcast of the School Board meeting on June 11. I heard Nancy Stacy's speech and I was encouraged. She thinks she has an idea that might work to help us keep our teachers.</p><p>Ron Crawford, Bobby James and Angie Boynton seemed underwhelmed. James was quoted in the Star-Banner saying he thought it would be a hoot if Stacy could pull it off. I found his opinion flippant and unprofessional. I would hope that as a taxpayer-funded, salaried employee of Marion County that he would help Stacy with her plan.</p><p>I hope there are some financial wizards out there who will lend a hand and help our School Board sort out things and find a way to keep our teachers.</p><p><i>Beth Bailey</p><p>Ocala</i></p><p><b>Let brain drain begin</b></p><p>I saw a report that there may be an “Exodus on the Hill” as congressmen/women and staffers learn that come January 2014 — and the effective date of Obamacare — their insurance premiums may approach the cost of normal folks' for health care. I personally doubt this will ever happen, because if there is one area that our Congress can act, it is in their own self-interest.</p><p>At any rate, this article posited that there would be a brain drain at a time when many serious issues are before this august body. Calamity and more calamities are feared.</p><p>Why not just let these brains go? Congress surely could not possibly do worse than they are currently with these members. After all, Gallup just reported that the people's confidence rating for Congress has reached another all-time low this year. They finished last in that institutional rating for the fourth year in a row.</p><p>So, please write your representative and let them know that we understand. If paying normal rates for health insurance is a burden, it's OK. Please leave and take most of your staffers with you.</p><p><i>L. Fred Conley</p><p>Ocala</i></p><p><b>Move over</b></p><p>A recent letter writer vowed that she'd be damned if she'd move over to the right lane if she was doing the posted limit or a bit more. Well ... she should consider the following:</p><p>1. The Florida Drivers' Handbook says that the left lane is for passing and turning left ONLY. Why tickets aren't issued to offenders is beyond me.</p><p>2. The driver behind you may have an emergency situation — he/she may be en route to anything from an ER to a “comfort station” (due to rapid onset “Osceola's Revenge,” or whatever).</p><p>As a native Florida cracker driver, I always assume the worst and act accordingly. I know that the left lane has a purpose, and it is not for my driving in just because I like it there.</p><p><i>Luther Deese</p><p>Ocala</i></p><p><b>Play it safe</b></p><p>I agree with the author of the letter that legally, a driver maintaining the speed limit can drive in the left lane. However, the “speed demons” will zip in and out of lanes and endanger other drivers.</p><p>It's best to leave the left lane open for the demons and stay in the center or right lane. Also, the left lane should remain clear for emergency vehicles.</p><p><i>Dan Stinecipher</p><p>Ocala</i></p>